Electrically-operated stereotype-matrix-drying machine.



R. J. GIBBON. ELEGTRIOALLY OPERATED STEREOTYPE MATRIX DRYING MACHINE.

Patented Aug. 11, 1914.

2 SHEBTSSHBET 1 m m1 mum!mullillmmWWWIWIHHHi APPLICATION FILED MAR. 30,1914.

"WIN AK M ., WASHINGTON, u C.

R. J. GIBBON. ELEGTRIGALLY OPERATED STEREOTYPE MATRIX DRYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.30,1914.

1,1 06,936. Patented Aug. 11,1914.

2 SHEBTSSHEET 2.

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ROBERT J. GIBBON, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO THE OSTRANDER SEYMOUR COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

ELECTRICALLY-OPERATED STEREOTYPE-MATRIX-DRYING MACHINE.

To all whom it may concern 1 Be it knownthat I, ROBERT J. GIBBoN, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of New York, borough of Brooklyn, county of Kings, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electrically-Operated Stereotype Matrix Drying Machines, of which the following is a specification.

The main objects of this invention are to provide an improved form of electrically operated stereotype-matrix drying machme for use in drying papier mach stereotype-matrices from which type plates are to be cast; to provide an improved arrangement of-the supporting means for the platen whereby a greater compactness of the machine is obtained with a consequent saving in floor space; to provide improved mechanism for shifting said platen; and to provide improved means for controlling the operating mechanism so as to maintain a substantially uniform pressure of the platen on the matrix during the drying and shrinking thereof.

An illustrative embodiment of this invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a plan view in fulloutline, of a stereotype-matrix drying machine embodying the foregoing improvements, and show ing in dotted outline the adjacent parts of other matrix drying machines arranged at the sides thereof. Fig. 2 is a front elevation, partly sectional, of the matrix dryingmachine. Fig. 3 is an enlarged transverse sectional View taken on the line AA of Fig. 2. Fig. 4; is an enlarged fragmentary detail as viewed from the plane of the line B -B, Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view of the electrical circuits and the devices which they connect.

In the construction shown in the drawings, the machine comprises a pair of memhere, such as a bed plate '1 and a platen 2, arranged to be forced together for the purposes of maintaining a pressure on moistened papier machf matrices of the kind used in casting lead stereotype plates to be used for printing. The bed plate 1 is supported on a standard or base 3 and has con nected thereto an inlet pipe 4 and an outlet pipe 5, which are connected to a heating plant, preferably steam, for the purpose of Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed March 30, 1914.

Patented Aug. 11, 191%. Serial No. 828,337.

heating the bed plate or table 1 to cause the rapid drying of the matrices while under pressure.

The platen 2 is suspended on a shaft 6 carried by a frame slidably supported on the bed plate 1 and base 3, which is adapted to be shifted for moving the platen toward and away from the bed plate 1. The frame comprises upper and lower horizontal yoke members or bars 7 and 8 rigidly connected together by means of vertical bars 9 slidably mounted in guideways 10 formed by shoulders cast on the sides of the members 1 and 2. The frame is arranged somewhat diagonal with respect to the members 1 and 2 so as to permit machines to be located side by side with the vertical bars 9 overlapping, as shown in Fig. 1, which results in a considerable saving of floor space.

The shifting of the platen 1 is efi'ected by means of a threaded shaft 11 journaled at its ends in the bearing 12, supported on the base 3, and bracket 14 secured to the under side of the bed plate 1. The shaft 11 has threaded engagement with the yoke 8 and when rotated causes the platen frame to shift for the pur pose of moving the platen toward and away from the bed plate 1. The shaft 11 is rotated by a worm gear 15 keyed to the shaft 11 and meshing with a worm 16 carried on the shaft 17 of a motor 18.

The motorlS is intermittently operated for moving the platen down against the matrix to compensate for the shrinking of the matrix caused by the drying thereof. The mechanism controllingthe motor is directly controlled by a rocker arm or lever 19 interposed between the bed plate 1 and the shaft 11. The lever is supported on roller bearings 20 and 21 interposed between said lever and wear plates 22 and 23 respectively mounted on the bed plate 1 and the bracket 14 above the shaft 11. Recesses are formed in the faces of the lever 19 and the wear plates 22 and 23 so as to confine the rollers 20 and 21. These recesses are very slight however, since the rolling movement of the rollers is limited. The rollers 20 and 21 are slightly offset with respect to the vertical so that the roller 20 in effect becomes a fulcrum for the lever 19 and the roller 21 receives the weight or pressure. Washers 2 1 are secured to the sides of the lever 19 in position to overlap the wear plates 22 and 23 and prevent axial displacement of the rollers 20 and 21.

' A second or auxiliary lever or arm 25 is pivotally mounted on a stud shaft26 secured to a plate 27 depending at the front of the bed plate 1. This lever is engaged by a shoulder 28 carried on the lever 19 which is seated in a notch 29 formed in the lever 25 adjacent to the pivot 26 and communicates the movement of the lever 19 thereto. 7

The lever 25 is arranged to operate an electric switch for controlling the motor circuit which comprises contacts 30 and 31, mounted on a ledge 32 secured to the plate 27 anda contact or bridge member 33 carried on the end of the lever 25. A spring 34 normally urges the lever to shift the contact 33 into engagement with the contacts 30 and 31. The spring 34 is connected by a chain 35 to a drum 36 journaled on the plate 27 and adapted to be rotated by a winged nut 37 for coiling the chain around the drum for the purpose of adjusting the tension of the spring 34. Suitable friction means is interposed between the winged nut 37 and the plate 27 for the purpose of holding the drum in any position to which it may be shifted.

The contacts 30 and 31 are connected by wires Y38 and 39 to conductors 40 and 41 which lead to a suitable source of electricity. A solenoid 42 is interposed in one of the wires and is adapted to operate a switch interposed in a motor circuit 43. This switch is herein diagrammatically represented by contacts 44 and 45, across which the circuit is adapted to be completed or opened by means of a contact 46 carried on the solenoid plunger 47. a V

A suitable starting and reversing switch is mounted on the base 3 and connected in the motor circuit 43. This switch is herein shown in dotted outline in Fig. 2 and comprises a casing 48 and handle 49 pivoted therein.

The shaft 6 which supports the platen 2 is threaded and has a hand wheel 50 secured thereto which may be used for adjusting the platen 2 with respect to the bed plate 1 in case the electrically operated mechanism should be out of order.

The operation of the device shown is as follows: A moistened papier mach stereotype-matrixand the type plate into which it has been impressed, together with a pad, are placed between the members 1 and 2. The switch arm 49 is then shifted to close the circuit to the motor 18 which, through the medium of the worm 16 and gear 15', revolves the shaft 11 and causes the platen 2 to move down upon thesheet of papier mach and hold it firm against the type plate. As soon as the platen has been drawn firmly against the papier 'mach and type plate so that it can move no farther, the pull of the motor produces a thrust on the shaft 11 which is'communicated to the roller 21 causing the lever 19 to swing-slightly on the fulcrum roller 20. The outer end of the lever 19 bearing upon the lever 25 forces the latter downwardly against the action of spring 34 and separates the contact 33 from the contacts 30 and 31 and thereby Zbreaks the circuit through. the solenoid 42. QThe deenergization of the. solenoid allows the plunger 47 to drop and shift the contact from the table or bed plate 1 evaporatesthe moisture in the papier mach and ash'rink- Bing takes place. The shrinking of the matrix lessens the pressure caused by the thrust of the shaft 11 and allows the spring 34 to elevate the lever 25, which in turnelevates the lever 19. The elevation of the lever 25 causes the contact 33 to reengage the contacts 30 and 31 and closethe circuit through the solenoid 42. The energization of the isolenoid 42' draws the plunger 47 upwardly and causes the reengagement of the contact 46 with the contacts 44 and 45 so that the motor circuit 43 becomes closed and the motor again operates to turn the shaft 11 so as to shift the platen frame and more firmly force the platen against thepapier mach matrix. This movement of the shaft 11 is of course slight and-as soon as the movement of the platen has compensated for the shrinkage of the papier'mach, the

thrust of the shaft 11 acting upon the roller 21 again causes the lever 19-to depress the lever 25 and break the circuit through the solenoid 42, whereupon the motor 18 is stopped, as hereinbe'fore explained. This operation is repeated as often as the shrinkage of the papier mach causes a lessening" of the thrust of the shaft 11. When the papier mach has become thoroughly dried and impressed into the type plate, the switch arm 49 is shifted in the opposite direction so as to reverse the current through the motor18,

which causes the shaft] 11 to elevate the platen-2.

Although but one specific embodiment of this invention has been herein shown and described, it will be understood that numer ous details of the constructionshown may be altered or omitted without departing from the spirit-of this invention as defined by the following claims.

1. A press, comprising apair of clamping members, mechanism adapted to shift said members to press material between them, a motor operating said mechanism, and

46 from engagement with the contacts 44 fland 45 thereby opening the motor circuit 43, whereupon the motor stops. The heat means actuated by the changes in pressure of said members on the material for starting and stopping said motor.

2. A device of the class described, comprising a pair of members one of which is movable relative to the other, said members being adapted to be used for compressing material between them, mechanism adapted to shift said one member, a lever interposed between a part of said mechanism and one of said members, being fulcrumed on one and bearing upon the other and normally exerting pressure on said mechanism, and means actuated by said lever and adapted to control the operation of said mechanism for maintaining the pressure of said members on the material.

3. A device-of the class described, comprising a pair of members one of which is movable relative to the other, said members being adapted to be used for compressing material between them, mechanism adapted to shift said one member, a lever interposed between a part of said mechanism and the other said member, being fulcrumed on said other member and bearing said part of said mechanism and normally exerting pressure on said mechanism, and means actuated by said lever and adapted to control the operation of said mechanism for maintaining the pressure of said members on the material.

4. A device of the class described, comprising a pair of members one of which is movable relative to the other, said members being adapted to be used for compressing material between them, mechanism adapted to shift said one member, a lever having one end thereof located between the other said member and a part of said mechanism, rollers interposed between said lever and said other member and said part, said rollers being offset with respect to each other so that one serves as a fulcrum for said lever and the other takes the thrust and normally exerting pressure on said mechanism, and means actuated by said lever and adapted to control the operation of said mechanism for maintaining the pressure of said members on the material.

5. A device of the class described, comprising a pair of members one of which is movable relative to the other, said members being adapted to be used for compressing material between them, mechanism adapted to shift said one member, a lever interposed between a. part of said mechanism and the other said member, being fulcrumed on said other member and bearing said part of said mechanism and normally exerting pressure on said mechanism, an electric motor included in said operating mechanism, and an electric switch operatively connected to said lever and adapted to be actuated thereby for controlling the operation of said motor so as to maintain the pressure of said members on the material.

6. A device of the class described, comprising a bed plate, a platen, a frame carrying said platen and slidably mounted on said.

bed plate, a member engaging said frame and adapted to be operated for shifting said platen so as to compress material placed between said bed plate and platen, a lever interposed between said member and said bed plate and being fulcrumed on one and bearing upon the other and normally exerting pressure on said member, mechanism connected to operate said member, and. means actuated by said lever and adapted to control the operation of said mechanism for maintaining the pressure of said platen 011 the material.

7. A device of the class described, comprising a bed plate, a platen, a frame carrying said platen and slidably mounted on said bed plate, a threaded shaft engaging said frame and adapted to be operated for shifting said platen so as to compress material placed between said bed plate and platen, a lever interposed between the end of said shaft and said bed plate, being fulcrumed on one and bearing upon the other and normally exerting pressure on said shaft, an electric motor connected to operate said shaft, and an electric switch connected to be operated by said lever and adapted to control the operation of said motor for maintaining the pressure of said platen on the material.

8. A device of the class described, comprising a bed plate, a platen, a frame carr ing said platen and slidably mounted on said bed plate, a threaded shaft engaging said frame and adapted to be operated for shifting said platen so as to compress material placed between said bed plate and platen, a lever interposed between the end of said shaft and said bed plate, being fulcrumed on. one and bearing upon the other, a spring normally exerting pressure on said shaft, means adapted to adjust the tension of said spring, an electric motor connected to operate said shaft, and an electric switch connected to be operated by said lever and adapted to control the operation of said motor for maintaining the pressure of said platen on the material.

9. A device of the class described, comprising a bed plate, a platen located above said bed plate, a frame carrying said platen and slidably mounted on said bed plate, a bracket depending from said bed plate, a threaded shaft journaled in said bracket and engaging said frame and adapted to be operated for shifting said platen so as to compress material between said bed plate and platen, a lever having the end thereof located between said member and said bed plate, rollers interposed between said lever and said bed plate and shaft, resilient means normally acting upon said lever and adapted to cause it to exert pressure on said shaft, an electric motor connected to operate said shaft, and means actuated by said lever and adapted to control the operation of said motor for maintaining the pressure of said platen on the material.

10. A device of the class described, comprising a bed plate, a platen, a frame carrying said platen and slidably mounted on said bed plate, a member engaging said frame and adapted to be operated for shifting said platen so as to compress material placed between said bed plate and platen, a lever in terposed between said member and said bed plate, being fulcrumed on one and bearing upon the other, a second lever mounted adj acent to said first mentioned lever and engaged thereby, means normally urging said second lever to shift said first lever to cause it to exert pressure on said member, an electric motor connected to operate said member, and a switch adapted to be shifted. by said 1,1oe,ese

second lever for controlling the operation of said motor.

11. A device of the class described, comprising a bed plate, a platen, a frame carrying said platen and slidably mounted on said bed plate, a member engaging said frame and adapted to be operated for shifting said platen so as to compress material placed between'said bed plate and platen, a lever interposed between said member and said bed plate and being fulcrumed on one and bearing upon the other, a second lever mounted at right angles to said first lever and adapted to be engaged thereby adjacent to its pivot, an electric motor connected to,

operate said member, and a switchadapted to be shifted by said second lever for controlling theoperation of said motor.

Signed at New York this 25th day of March 1914.

ROBERT J. GIBBON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. G." i 

